December 22, 2008

If you think about it, the name "meatballs" is a little icky. I guess it's no worse than "meatloaf." My little brother refuses to eat meatloaf, yet he loves meatballs, which is interesting because they're basically the same thing. Perhaps it's all in the name. Or shape.

Or perhaps he's just odd.

This post, a respite from all the Christmas cookies and sweets, features two varieties of those ubiquitous balls o' meat. The first batch is from the ever-popular recipe entitled "Manhattan Meatballs." (Anybody know if they actually originated in Manhattan? Just curious.) I chose to make these for our office's winter holiday party over all others for a very significant reason--I had apricot preserves festering in the fridge.

The sweet, fruity, and slightly spicy sauce was wonderful! I suspect it may have had something everything to do with the barbecue sauce I used--'twas a honey-chipotle blend. My co-workers had some nice comments about the meatballs and actually made the effort to say them to me, and I have to agree--the balls were delicious.

The only other kind of meatball I've ever really tried is made according to a recipe that my grandmother has used for longer than I've been alive. I think it's safe to say that it's a winner. The balls are nowhere near as sweet, but still extremely tasty.

Combine the first six ingredients and shape into balls. Place in a large baking dish. Mix up the sauce and pour it over the balls. Cover the dish and bake at 350 degrees for an hour, or until heated through.

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the meat, bread crumbs, onion, eggs, parsley, and salt. Go ahead, use your paws. Shape into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. Place in 2-qt. casserole dish. Mix the preserves and barbecue sauce and evenly pour over the meatballs; mix lightly. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

I think this'll probably be my last post until the Christmas excitement fades away. I hope ya'll have a safe and happy holiday!

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comments:

Grace both recipes look yummy! Meatballs is a funny word just like nuts. I did a post today on Candied Nuts, no other way to put it... or maybe the fruits or seeds of the pecan tree? Naw too long. Have a great day!

Meatballs are one of the only kind of food I make that I'm sure all three of my kids will eat. So, Grace, I want to thank you profusely for adding two delicious looking recipes to my list! Thank you!!! :D

If your brother would dish me up a plate of these meatballs (of course if I were 20 years younger)..then again I do have a daughter who is 21....dang she is taken....Seriously though I love sweet and sour meatballs.

I made your peppermint fudge, added butter, of course, for a plate of sweets for my neighbor including marshmallows and bark. It was way too easy to make and oh so good. I should have a post tonight or tomorrow on it. Thanks for the recipe. Also, how old is your little brother, because he is quite cute and I have two daughters. Hmm.Have a very blessed Christmas.Evidently there is a little competition for your brother. But Bellini Valli has one daughter and I have two!

I love the apricot preserves idea! ANd I will have a meatball anyway you make it. These recipes sound heavenly. I did one recently with currant sauce. Oh it was amazing. Something about fruit and meat.

It's funny meat loaf never sounds nearly as good. But it really depends on who made it adn whats in it. My Mom makes awesome meatloaf. Myhusband told me when we got married that he didnt like meatloaf. Ah, yah, he changed his mind!

NIce post about a holiday party favorite! My family has never done much with meatballs though we like to eat them well enough. Our party standby is Little Smokies in a catsup/bourbon/onion sauce. If I had to choose, I think I would probably prefer your grandmother's recipe for the meatballs.

I loved this post. I've had to go back and catch up. I've missed you in all this Christmas craziness. Thanks so much for this recipe. I'm definitely making it New Year's for our appetizer party. They sound amazing and if you were able to squeak out some compliments from your cryptic co workers that is testament enough.

Yummy....I do love balls o' meat for cocktail parties! There is something very retro about them! I think the sweet and spicy look sooo.... good. I think I will bring them to a New Years bash we are atending (along with a jug o' wine)! Thanks for the recipe and have a fantastic holiday :-)

People are wierd aren't they? Psychgrad gags if she sees meatloaf but loves the sweet 'sour meatballs too. I don't get it but trust me - I won't be drawing the analogy of meatloaf/meatball anytime soon.Happy holidays to you and your family.

Awesome, awesome...awesome! I love meatballs and meatloaf...and now balls o' meat too haha! I've never tried anything like this (I know, it's like I live in a foodie bubble). If these were an appetizer at a party, I'd easily turn them into a meal...just gimme a slice of gluten free bread and I'm set to have the best meatball sandwich evaaa!! :)

Funny, I ordered a meatball pasta dish at a restaurant a few days ago, thinking that I'd a couple little meatballs with it (wouldn't you?). Instead, what arrived was a small nest of pasta topped with a meatloaf. Yes, a meatloaf. A gigantic, square loaf. It broke the boundaries between the meatball and the meatloaf as distinct food items. However, it was awesome (if excessive) and it taught me to reconsider my prejudices against meatloaf.

No, because I leave the lights on my tree too and just put it away in the extra bedroom, or as my ex used to say, "the mystery room". If I left the ornaments on it there would be no telling what devil cat (see the post on pets) would do to it. December is a month spent dragging her out of the tree and putting back everything that she has pulled down onto the floor. Sort of her own Disneyland.

And it is really only at my house that there has to be some semblance in decorating. I love what everyone else does and just keep thinking, God I need therapy.

I hope your Christmas was wonderful. Since I plan to marry Santa let me know what you want for next year.

Hmm, I've never had a problem with the name meatball, probably because I grew up eating all sorts of meatballs? Those made of fish, beef, chicken etc etc... but yours look SO COMFORTING. And that sauce!! YUM!

your brother and me are quite similar except that i would never eat meatballs- i'd only eat meatloaf. whenever i'd go out to eat with my grandpa, i'd always give him the meatballs in my wedding soup because i just couldn't look at them. haha

I like the idea of using the apricot preserves on the meatballs- it sounds like a winning combination.My favorite meatballs are my dad's bourbon meatballs. They are so popular that family and friends alike insist that he make them every year for our holiday party!

Well I SWEAR I saw these droolworthy nuggests of savoriness over the holidays, but I guess I didn't take the time to tell you I stopped by. What a complete slacker I am. I have several different kinds of jam "festering" in my fridgy along with a few unmentionables. I should put them out of their misery with these. My menfolk would swear they'd died and gone to heaven since there would be no party. They think balls are the ultimate party food. Along with cocktail weenies, of course.